Shankar - We have documented everything you need to know about teaching a 14 year old to shoot a basketball in the guide below. It includes pictures, step by step details, workouts, drills, etc. I would love to answer your question but shooting is complex and I need many pages and pictures to explain an effective teaching process. This guide explains everything in detail: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/btshooting.html

I agree with Paudie here .... not dipping the ball is something that they could add to this drill. You notice in the first shot he got a bounce pass and went right into the shot.

Its a little harder to go right into your shot off a chest pass IF its NOT in the correct position to go into your shot. If the pass is too high, I think the player has to bring it down somewhat to set his rhythm. A good passer helps the shooter, bad passes can make good shooters look bad. JMO

We worked with some of our kids regarding getting a quicker release... that takes some time and a lot of practice. Catching the ball in your shooting pocket can help you a lot along with catching it in the triple threat position.

The idea of this drill is for a quick release and it looks to me that they are working on that...Trust me, Don Kelbick pays attention to all the details.

@ Paudie & Ken Sartini, EVERY great shooter dips the ball. Google "shooting and Paul Hoover". Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Ray Allen, Larry Bird (has a hitch), Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr, Mark Price, Danny Green, etc. Every one of these players dips the ball and most of them hop step before shooting. If you aren''t a one-two footwork shooter, you can easily get off a quick release shot with a dip. Teaching not to dip is a tragedy in itself especially for spot up three point shooters. Don''t take my word for it, watch the videos of the shooters themselves.

A lot of it depends on where you receive the pass.... but as a defender, IF I am close to you and I know that you dip it low... all I have to do is put my hand at your chest and that will take your shot away.

You are talking about some of the best shooters in the game.... I am talking about youth and high school players.

We actually came across the dipping viewpoint from Tom Nordland of Swish about 7 years ago. At first, I thought it was odd.

But after studying video with his recommendation, I saw that he was right.

My only struggle has been the way in which to teach it, because there are times in which the player should not dip.

- Certain post situations- Off the dribble- catch in the sweet spot where you normally drop the ball to.

I prefer Rick Penny's "Get To Set" because if you already in the spot of where you normally dip to, you just go straight into your shot. And the situations where you catch the ball outside your "Set" position, you bring the ball down to develop that rhythm and consistency.

For most players, this set position is typically between the hip and lower chest region.

Ken, I used to say the same thing about a defender sticking their hand in their chest and being able to strip the ball. I actually teach my defensive players to do that for that specific reason.

But my philosophy is that if a defender is that close, you shouldn't be shooting. You should be attacking the rim.

So my current stance is to have the player dip when necessary. But I don't mention dipping when teaching, I just call it "Get To Set". That way, you don't have to teach them when to dip and when NOT to dip.

Ken and Joe, I certainly understand the apprehension of interjecting the word "dip" into the instruction. However, I fully believe the greatest shooters dip, even at the most critical moments. Just look at the Ray Allen's shot to seal the deal in the last NBA finals when he jumped behind the 3 point line. Ken, a great shooter is a great shooter regardless of the age. You can teach the proper footwork and mechanics including the dip to kids in 4th grade. Did you google the info I mentioned and look at the volume of Youtube videos of the greatest shooters ever? The only time a 1-2 shot makes sense is swinging off a screen going left as a right hand shooter. However, proper footwork with the dip could have you receive the same pass at get the shot off just as quickly. It's 100% in the footwork. I completely disagree that the release of a shooter who dips is slower. If it was, then why does Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard do it every game as a staple of their play? Just because they are professionals absolutely does not mean what they do is unteachable to youth. I encourage you to be open to changing the footwork of your players and checking out all the videos of the greatest shooters. If you are open minded, and try what I'm suggesting, I think you will change your mind.

Chad, I definitely agree that you have to be open-minded. I think that's why you see that we have one of the most-visited basketball instruction websites in the world, because our coaches are very open-minded to different viewpoints.

You are not going to get an argument from whether players dip the ball or not. MOST of the great shooters do. I just think it can be taught better than what I've seen. That's why I use "Get To Set". It dips when necessary which is most of the time. And it does NOT dip when necessary when catching the ball in that sweet spot where you normally dip the ball to, pulling up off the dribble, and when you already have the ball sitting there.

Im assuming you shouldnt dip the ball from your hip to your knee and you shouldnt dip the ball from your knee to your ankle. &#61514;

In regards to shooting the ball slower, I believe most of the quickness comes from sticking your feet as quickly as possible whether you believe in sticking both feet at the same time or 1-2. When you study video, you'll see that most great shooters actually do both.

To add to your statement about dipping being NOT slower. I believe it is slower. HOWEVER, I just think the slowness is not relevant. Its probably a few hundredths of a second difference as the importance on a quick release is getting your feet set before the ball arrives, getting balanced, and quickly getting the ball into your shot motion.

Also, who cares how fast you can shoot if you cant make your shot because you havent developed the rhythm and consistency.

Id rather take the guy who can make 6 out of 10 who can shoot the ball in 0.6 seconds than the same guy who makes 4 out of 10 and can shoot the ball in 0.5 seconds.

Another note, we also have to be careful when just look at video compilations being put together by individuals with a motive, whether that motive is completely innocent or not. They are going to view the world a certain way and probably are going to use video cuts to support their viewpoint which can slant the truth. And this could be done with the best of intentions and completely unintentional. There is no doubt that a video compilation is the quickest way to show somebody your viewpoint. However, us viewers should always dig a little deeper to make sure the evidence supports that.

Let's take the dipping topic as an EXAMPLE, I've seen all of the videos that support the dip. They are pretty convincing. But what if there was more to it.

Remember this is an example and this is NOT what I believe

What if somebody went back and studied all of these shooters and every shot they take, maybe 30% of the time they don't dip.

So now we have..70% of time - They dip.30% of time - They don't dip.

On the 30% of NO dips - Maybe they make 65% of their shots.

On the 70% of dips - Maybe they make 45% of their shots.

Are you going to gather that when you watch a video where the person is convinced that dipping is the best way to shoot and only includes clips of the best players dipping the ball and making their shots?

Absolutely not.

And maybe some people are convinced of this and that's why they don't support the dip.

And because we believe in the dip, we're convinced they're not being open-minded and won't listen to us. Because after all, the video compilations that we just viewed demonstrated this.

REMEMBER, THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. I'M NOT ARGUING THAT YOU SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DIP THE BALL IN THAT EXAMPLE.

But the reason I mention it is that I see people just watching video compilations and assuming it's the truth when in reality, it's just a collection of clips put together by a person.

As you can see there are a lot of different opinions on how to shoot the ball. We had George Leahman ( one of the greatest shooters in the ABA -He averaged 11.9 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in his professional career and holds the ABA's third best career three-point field goal percentage (.365).[1] Lehmann was the first professional basketball player to make more than 40% of his three point attempts in a season, which he did in 1970-71.[2] ) come in and hold shooting clinics at our school a couple of times. The first time he missed ONE SHOT and I never saw him dip He taught the BEEF method so you can see why I believe in this.

I am certainly not going to argue this point a lot... but we teach what we believe and what works for us. Am I going to tell Michael Jordan that he is shooting wrong? I don't think so. :-)

Dick Baumgartner's thoughts on dipping....

Dipping the Basketball When Bringing The Ball into the Shooting Pocket Recently, I read an article where they are now saying that dipping the ball when bringing it into the shooting pocket is correct. It was incorrect way back and it still is incorrect.

When bringing the ball into the shooting pocket correctly with the proper leg action is very important in timing the release of the basketball. An intentional dipping of the basketball when bringing it into the shooting pocket leads to very inconsistent shooting. The player with this dipping action can hit 10 in a row and turn around the next day and miss ten.

Some individuals will not interpret how to bring the ball into the shooting pocket correctly. You can bring the ball into a low shooting pocket level ( stomach ) correctly with the proper leg action without intentionally dipping the ball.

With the intentional dipping action with quick leg movement, a player can get some distance, but in the long run it leads to inconsistency. With this technique the ball usually hits the target quick and hard.

Tom Nordlan

SOME THINGS GREAT SHOOTERS DO For example, I find that the greatest shooters have relaxed wrists and hands (their hands flop in the Follow Through), and they have open stances. They shoot on the way up for most shots, not at the top of the jump. Their elbows are NOT directly under the ball. They dip the ball for greater accuracy (and its done on line with eye and basket).

Hoops USA

Give Smooth DeliveryWhen you shoot, the ball should start going right up with no dipping. Your elbow needs to be right under the ball, and your shooting hand needs to be in direct line to the rim.

The ball needs to stay in front of you and should not go behind your head at all. Your body should release all with the shot: your legs, your core, and your arm all coordinated with one graceful movement. Your elbow and wrist should expand in a straight line to the basket.

Jay Wolf's Shooting Tips

ONE: Shorten the stroke by keeping the ball high - a) when near the basket, start it above the eyes, and b) from the perimeter, start it at the shoulders. Dont drop the ball below the shoulders toward the waist. This is called dipping. The fact is however, dropping the ball WILL create momentum and rhythm, BUT, it will also create these NEGATIVE consequences:

Tom Nordland's take on Steph Curry's form -

Form Matters  and Dipping is critical!DIPPING IS CRITICAL!

If you cant dip or bring the ball up on line from in front of your body, your accuracy is going to suffer. The proof is all the shots missing the mark as players try to shoot quickly. Most great shooters Ive seen dip it often and a lot, from a few inches up to 2 ½ feet and more. Its very difficult to fire off a shot with accuracy and consistency when starting from scratch, when starting from a dead stop at the Set Point. The myths of shooting include, besides No dipping, the idea of catching the ball in the Set Point so you can shoot very quickly, and also catching the ball with knees flexed, again so you can shoot immediately. But, like with not Dipping, the knees-flexed starting point sacrifices a good deal of leg power.

Catch and ShootIn this video, a youth basketball coach demonstrates how to get a quick shot off after receiving a pass. Teach your players to catch and shoot the ball in a single motion without dipping the ball down before they rise up to shoot.

All good points to consider. In addition, one topic not even addressed is proximity to the basket. A post player with the back to the basket on a turn around jumper will and should have a different shot than a perimeter player coming off of a pick for a three pointer in the corner. Dropping the ball for a post player, or dipping, especially 10-15 feet would not be good basketball. Rabbit trail-why do we not see any post players shooting a sky hook? The most prolific scorer in the game and no one copies him?! Seems strange to me.

In terms of developing a basic perimeter shot, I've have watched kids develop over the years and seen that the better shooters dip to develop rhythm, power and consistency. Maybe some of this is because most of youth programs have the kids shooting too big of balls on baskets too high. I'm open to teaching another way but when an average 5th-6th grader is shooting a regulation ball at a 10 foot high goal dipping is the only way to generate enough power to make an acceptable percentage from some distance. Not to mention all of these kids are firing off three pointers because that's what the game has evolved into.

I agree with Joe that who really cares about a fraction of a fraction of a second for a deep perimeter shot if the ball goes in the hole at a significantly higher rate. The harder issue is teaching kids what a good shot is for them and when to pass on a risky shot, especially from distance.

Ken, most good coaches have a good bit of stubbornness running through their veins. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Look at Boeheim at Syracuse. He's in love with the zone and makes it work. Personally, I am not a fan of zone. I recently watched the DVR game of the first matchup of Duke and Syracuse. I got to hand it to Boeheim. He has done a great job of making his system work. He recruits for it by adding athletic length. If I were a college coach, I wouldn't go that route but it works for him. Who am I to judge? He's making millions and I'm watching him coach an inferior defense while eating cheetoh's on my sofa!

That being said I have enjoyed visiting with you and the others about the finer points of the game. Developing a basketball philosophy is crucial for a good coach. Discussions like this sharpen each other and develop resolve.

"Ken, most good coaches have a good bit of stubbornness running through their veins."Who, me stubborn?? LOL

"Who am I to judge? He's making millions and I'm watching him coach an inferior defense while eating cheetoh's on my sofa!"Another great line.

I have seen some coaches that teach the "jump hook" - not so much the sky hook. We also taught one POUND dribble between the legs before we went into certain moves in the post.

You certainly are right, there is more than one way to skin a cat... and I always tell coaches / players, do what works for you.

As for younger kids dipping, you are spot on WHY they have to do this... ball is too big and the basket is too high. That comes from people who don't have a clue as to what is good for teaching the game to younger kids. Let them try shooting a bowling ball to a 15 foot basket some time.

I certainly wont be judging any college coaches, especially guys like Boeheim etc. But they do recruit to their system, I had to play who they dopped off at the door.

Try this some time.... shooting free throws with your eyes closed... or closer for the little kids... it forces you to concentrate and rely on your muscle memory. Stay in touch.